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Like Starbury, Kevin Durant Wants to Endorse Affordable Shoes

Kevin Durant has been in the news a lot this year because of his unbelievable basketball talents. As a freshman at Texas, Durant practically took over the college basketball world, winning every possible individual award out there last season. Due to his accomplishments, he's expected to be drafted as either the first or second pick in this year's draft. As well, top sneaker companies are now clamoring to sign him, as they feel his on court abilities will allow him to become a great endorser of basketball sneakers.

The two companies vying for Durant to endorse their products are Nike and Adidas. Traditionally, players of Durant's caliber that sign with Nike or Adidas usually have shoes that sell in the $100-$150 range. The irony of this is that most NBA players come from backgrounds where they couldn't really afford to purchase shoes at that price point, yet they continually don't use their influence to push shoe prices down to a more affordable level.

Currently, Stephon Marbury is the only prominent NBA player to step up and make something happen, marketing a $15 basketball shoe made by Steve and Berrys (Ben Wallace has also signed on to endorse Starbury's $15 shoes). The reaction to Steph's shoe revolution has been tremendous. However, he's not selling shoes with the brand equity and consumer loyalty that Nike and Adidas currently have. As well, he's not as big of a name as guy like Kevin Durant is (at least not currently).

Today on his Oregon Live blog, John Canzano reported that one of the sticking points for Durant in his negotiations with Nike and Adidas is a commitment to make a shoe that is at a price point that most individuals could afford. That price point is rumored to be between $39 and $69. If Kevin Durant (a player that is going to be on the marketing level of a Dwyane Wade or a LeBron James) can get Nike or Adidas (the two most powerful sneaker companies in the world) to brand a Kevin Durant signature shoe for $39, he'll have done more toward making sneakers more affordable than anyone before him. I mean, if Nike or Adidas start making affordable shoes with Durant's name on them, it automatically becomes that much more acceptable for kids to purchase cheaper shoes.

Obviously, Durant hasn't forgotten where he comes from. The kid hasn't even been drafted yet, and he's already using his influence to implement positive change. See LeBron, you can influence positive change while still making a lot of money. Maybe you should call up KD and Steph and ask them how it's done.

Previously at Fanhouse:
LeBron James vs. Stephon Marbury: The $150 Shoe vs. the $15 Shoe
Ben Wallace Joins the Starbury Revolution

How to Beat the NBA Draft

Okay, I know that nothing could possibly be as exciting as the new "Iverson to Miami" rumor I just heard. Things can certainly be more interesting, though, like the totally bizarre case of Kentucky junior--and NBA free agent--Randolph Morris.

As some may recall, Morris declared for the 2005 draft without ever signing an agent or taking other people's money to pay for travel. After some half-assed workouts, it became clear that no team would have him, but Morris kept his name in the hat, just in case. When his name was not uttered from the podium, he was able to resume his student-athlete life at Kentucky; he had done nothing that forfeited his amateur status.

Fast forward to now, where Morris is lookng more and more like a legit professional big man. And because he already went through the draft once without being selected, he's officially a free agent. Translation: he could jump from college to the Association mid-season.

Supposedly, he's committed to playing out the year. Not a bad idea, since most teams are locked into their financial situation for the time being. But if some franchise with cap room needs some help heading into the stretch run, we might get the chance to see history in the making. Even if this loophole is unlikely to aid anyone in the future.